MTSU education college inducts first students into initiative to provide teachers to area districts

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Education and its Center for Fairness, Justice and Equity recently held a signing ceremony for three of 25 students in the university’s first group of Tennessee Teach Back Initiative Scholars this fall.

The center launched the initiative last spring with the support of the State Collaborative on Reforming Education, better known as SCORE, to recruit high school and transfer students from within high-needs, rural areas of the state and train them at the College of Education with costs covered and extra supports provided in exchange for their returning to teach in their local communities.

Since its launch, Michelle Stevens, center director, and her team have been working on recruitment and building out the initiative, more commonly referred to as the TTBI, including bringing on Tara Wallace as a recruitment and engagement specialist.

Education Dean Neporcha Cone, Stevens and Wallace recently coordinated with Bedford County Schools to participate in a May 20 signing event at Cascade High School in Bell Buckle to recognize the district’s graduates starting the initiative this fall.

Mariah Hammermeister, front row center, participates in a signing event by Middle Tennessee State University and Bedford County Schools for students joining the university’s inaugural group of Tennessee Teach Back Initiative students on May 20, 2024, at Cascade High School in Bell Buckle, Tenn. Standing, top row from left, are Michelle Stevens, who heads the initiative from MTSU, and Tara Wallace, the initiative’s recruitment and engagement specialist. Sitting next to Hammermeister are Cade Hammermeister, left, her father, and Hilina Hammermeister, her mother. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

“The signing day was a significant marker to celebrate the partnership between Bedford County and the TTBI program,” Stevens said. “We are (also) excited to partner to support five scholars with last dollar scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year.”

Recent high school graduates Mariah Hammermeister, Abby Harris and Lantz Peoples made up the honorees.

“I was already planning on continuing my education at MTSU; TTBI just made it a whole lot easier!” said Hammermeister, whose father is an MTSU education alumnus. “The idea of being able to come back and teach where I was raised makes me less nervous honestly. I can get my first years of experience to help build my resume … and I’ll be able to learn and grow with familiar people rather than a completely new staff.”

Harris said she was interested “because I thought it was a really great program to help bring teachers back into Bedford County, and I wanted to make sure that my college tuition was completely paid for. I am really close to my community in Bedford County. I am hoping to go back and teach there for a very long time because I am hoping to make an impact on those around me.”

Both young women are looking forward to starting their journeys at MTSU — joining a group of students with the same goals and hopes with the support of the initiative.

Abby Harris, front row center, participates in a signing event by Middle Tennessee State University and Bedford County Schools for students joining the university’s inaugural group of Tennessee Teach Back Initiative students on May 20, 2024, at Cascade High School in Bell Buckle, Tenn. Standing, top row from left, are Michelle Stevens, who heads the initiative from MTSU, and Tara Wallace, the initiative’s recruitment and engagement specialist. Sitting next to Harris are Shan Harris, left, her father, and Julie Harris, her mother. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Highlighting the multiple new and existing engagement opportunities in place to support their new TTBI students, Stevens noted that “16 of our 25 students will be living in our ‘Difference Makers Living and Learning Community.’

“All members will be invited to an orientation and signing day later this summer and have access to multiple professional development opportunities and wellness workshops throughout the year,” she added. “Additionally, about half will also participate in MTSU’s Scholars Academy early arrival student support program.”

Stevens said with their group of 25 students set for this fall — far exceeding their original goal of 10 — applications are closed for this upcoming school year, but they will start accepting applications for the 2025-26 TTBI school year group starting this August. Those interested can learn more at https://education.mtsu.edu/tennessee-teach-back-initiative/.

Learn more about the opportunities at the Center for Fairness, Justice and Equity at https://mtsu.edu/fjecoe/ and at the College of Education at https://education.mtsu.edu.

— Stephanie Wagner (Stephanie.Wagner@mtsu.edu)